Woman arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Dundalk fined and disqualified

A 32-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after the speed at which she was driving drew the attention of gardaí, Dundalk district court heard.

The investigating garda gave evidence that he was on patrol on Rampart Lane on June 3rd 2024 when he saw a Dacia Sandero driven by Ciara Berrill of Castle Court, Castlebellingham drive over and back across a continuous white line and it then slowed down to "an unusually slow pace" at bends.

The witness said he signalled for the car to pull in and there was a strong smell of alcohol from the vehicle when he spoke to the defendant, who had slurred speech and she was formally arrested.

The court heard Ms Berrill was very cooperative and had two previous convictions for driving without insurance in 2015 and 2018.

After the Defence barrister said his client is a single mother and social care worker who is "doing quite good work in that field", Judge Michael Ramsey imposed a €500 fine and a three year disqualification, which he deferred until November 1st.

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